ecobee Partners With Austin Energy To Launch The Power Partner Thermostat Program Pilot

TORONTO, Dec. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- ecobee Inc., the energy solutions company known for its easy-to-use Wi-Fi enabled Smart Thermostat products, announced today that it has formed a strategic partnership with Austin Energy to launch the Texas utility's 2013 Power Partner Thermostat Program Pilot.

The goal of the Power Partner Thermostat Program Pilot is to help reduce the impact of high electricity demand during the months of June through September by remotely managing customers' thermostats during peak usage periods. Participating customers will receive a rebate for $85 from Austin Energy within six weeks after enrolling in the program for every ecobee thermostat they have installed in their home.

"We're really excited about working with Austin Energy as a utility partner," says Stuart Lombard, President and CEO of ecobee. "We have extensive experience in supporting North American utilities with innovative, energy-saving strategies and products, and it's something that continues to be a major priority for our business."

ecobee has already proven to be a tremendous success in the Austin area, with a widespread customer base that continues to grow. For Austin Energy, this offers an excellent opportunity to introduce the Power Partner Thermostat Program Pilot to an audience that has already embraced ecobee products and the great user experience they offer.

"We feel that ecobee and its smart thermostat products are a good fit as they'll not only help us reduce the demands on our own system, but they'll also give our customers a chance to save energy and be rewarded for their efforts," says Scott Jarman, Interim Director Energy Efficiency Services of Austin Energy.

ecobee works with over 2,800 leading heating and cooling service company partners that sell and support ecobee's energy management solutions. These service company relationships were important to Austin Energy's goals of allowing customers to purchase their energy management solutions from a trusted partner.

About ecobeeecobee delivers intelligent energy management solutions. Installed in homes and businesses across North America, the ecobee Open Energy Management Platform is the easiest way for residential and commercial customers to understand, manage and reduce their energy consumption. Servicing both the Utility and HVAC markets, ecobee's line of Wi-Fi enabled thermostats, online web portals and smart phone apps are the products of choice for ease of use, energy efficiency and demand response programs. ecobee has also won significant industry awards which include the ASHRAE/AHR Innovation Award for Building Automation, the Dealer Design Gold and Silver Awards and the Deloitte Green 15, among others. ecobee is supported by a network of over 2,800 quality HVAC contractors and distributors across North America.

About Austin EnergyAustin Energy is the nation's 8th largest community-owned electric utility, serving more than 420,000 customers and a population of almost one million. The utility provides service within the city of Austin, Travis County, and a small portion of Williamson County. Austin Energy provides exceptional electric system reliability and significant expertise in serving power-sensitive industries such as high tech manufacturing.